A better story (Acts 13:13-52)

 

What’s the story our children our being taught in school?  What is the worldview that is being presented to us in western culture?  I wonder if it is fair to say that the message is, ‘you can be whoever you want to be.’  ‘Your choice.’  ‘Don’t listen to the haters.’  ‘Be the best version of you.’

It is very much about you as an individual, rather than thinking about the greater good of society.  It seems very self-centred.  It even sounds a little narcissistic!

But does that story satisfy?

An article in Psychology Today entitled, ‘Why it's so hard to ever feel satisfied', points out that we live in the healthiest, most well-educated, most democratic time in history, and yet, some part of the human psyche causes us to look for an escape from things stirring inside of us constantly.  I have to say that it struck me as naive to even imagine that education and democracy might be keys to satisfaction.

The article actually went on to suggest that it is good for society that we remain dissatisfied.  It is part of how we evolve as a species that we always thirst for more.

This passage centres on another story.  This story is called the word of the Lord (49), and through the early Christians it began to spread the whole region around a city called Antioch Pisidia, in what is now south east Turkey.  This story speaks of a Saviour who has been promised, who died and is raised from the dead so that we might be forgiven and counted as just before God, and this story has motivated people to travel all over the world as they were compelled by love for God and people.

Let’s continue our journey with the apostle Paul and his friends as they share this story.

A better story tells us that we can follow as well as lead

I think that church culture is often obsessed with leaders and undervalues the importance of following.  In our reading we see that there has been a change of leadership.  Before they arrived on the island of Cyprus we read of Barnabas and Saul and now as they leave Cyprus we read of Paul and his companions.  As Paul’s authority was seen in the Cyrus ministry, Barnabas, the great encourager, is happy to give way.  There is no pushing for roles or bruised egos here.

Paul had been willing to follow before he led, which is surely a necessary qualification for anyone who would lead well.  Barnabas was willing to follow after he led, which is a huge challenge for those whose term of leadership has come to an end.

A better story tells us that failure is not final

But John Mark left them.  This would later be described as a desertion (15:38).  Matthew Henry suggests he went without telling them, but we simply do not know.  Thankfully this failing did not mark the end of the line for Mark.  Many years later, as Paul awaited execution in Rome, when he had again been deserted by many, he wrote, ‘get Mark and bring him with you because he is helpful to my ministry’ (2 Timothy 4:11).  We are a part of a story where failure need never be final.  It is a story where we are forgiven and we go on being forgiven.

A better story incorporates even our weaknesses

There are two Antiochs mentioned in the book of Acts.  Barnabas and Saul had begun their journey in Antioch in Syria, which is now just north of Syria in south-east Turkey.  Now Paul and his companions travel to Antioch of Pisidia, which is also in modern Turkey.  It was in the region of Galatia.

Antioch Pisidia was 3,600 feet above sea-level.  That is two hundred feet above Carrauntoohil, our highest mountain.  For our South African friends, that is not as far up as Pretoria, which is 4,400 feet above sea-level.

Some months later Paul would write the letter to the Galatians, perhaps the oldest of Paul’s surviving letters, and remind them that ‘it was because of an illness that I first preached the gospel among you’ (Galatians 3:11).  Some people think that Paul had contracted malaria and went to the hill country of Galatia to recover away from all the mosquitoes.  However, I think it is more likely that he had an eye infection.  You see he says in his letter to the Galatians that they would have given their own eyes to him if they could (Galatians 4:15).

The fact that Paul suffered such an illness reminds us not to be simplistic about reading Acts.  Later in Acts you will see the healing ministry of Paul, but here God wills for him to pass through this illness.  Miracles don’t happen all the time in Acts, but as God chooses.  Often, God will use our suffering to achieve His purposes.  Here suffering leads Paul to Galatia and actually aids his ministry amongst them.

Think of all the people who have been helped by the suffering of Christians.  There was a woman who was so impressed by how her Christian neighbour kept her trust in God, even though she battled with terrible arthritis, that it made her want to know more about that woman’s faith.  She started to attend the suffering woman’s church.  She came to know that suffering woman’s God.  Her son also came to faith and remains a strong Christian.

A better story centres on the beautiful Saviour

As was their custom they began their outreach in the synagogue among Jews and God-fearers (Gentiles who were interested in God but had not get fully converted to Judaism).  Paul knows his audience because he begins with the book they were studying, the Old Testament.  Later, in Athens, when speaking to people who did not know the Scriptures, Paul would begin with Greek philosophers.

Paul recalls that people’s slavery in Egypt to the Exodus, the wilderness experience, and on to the time of kings Saul and David.  He brings them to Jesus the son of David.  He then goes to the cross.  He emphasises that Jesus was innocent of any crime—He was not dying for His guilt but ours.  All this took place to fulfil what had been prophesied.  God raised Him from the dead.  There were witnesses to this resurrection. 

Paul shows them God’s offer of forgiveness.  He speaks of being justified before God.  He warns them of the judgement that awaits those who reject this good news.  All Paul says centres on Saviour Jesus (23).

A few months later, in Paul’s letter to the Galatians, he would remind them that ‘before your very eyes Christ was clearly portrayed as crucified’ (Galatians 3:1).

Note that Paul began where these people were at and drew then to the cross.  I was thinking about this and started to wonder about by own neighbours and friends.  What level of Bible-knowledge do they have?  Do they have any belief in God?  Do they have any interest in God?  Do they realise their need of forgiveness?  What are they living for?  What is the story they live by, and how can we point them to a better story?

The truth is that if you really want to share the better story with people ask them questions.  Get them thinking.  Listen to their story.  Then ask God to show you the words to tell them about Jesus the Saviour.

A better story is a whole life story

After the service, and presumably during the week, Paul and Barnabas met with the people who had shown interest in the gospel at that synagogue.  ‘They urged them to continue in the grace of God’ (44).  In the language of Peter, the people were to make their calling and election sure (2 Peter 1:10).

You see it is not just making a decision or praying a prayer that makes a person a Christian.  Follow-up is essential.  Many people make a decision in a moment, but do not continue in the grace of God because it wasn’t actually real.  They weren’t truly converted.  Similarly, it is often as they are being discipled and followed up that they are truly born again.   

Note that Gentiles believed and that their belief made them glad (48).  See that the word spread through the whole region as ordinary people gossiped the gospel among their neighbours (49).

‘All who were appointed to eternal life believed’ (48).  Becoming a Christian is all God’s doing.  That should keep us humble.  But we also affirm that God desires all people to become His followers (2 Peter 3:9) and we invite and urge all people to respond.

As we think of their continuing in the grace of God, we affirm both that He who began a good work in us will see it through to completion (Phil. 1:6), and that only ‘the one who endures to the end will be saved’ (Matt. 24:13).  The fact that you have not walked away from God after all these years is evidence that the grace of God is keeping you.  When I struggle with my own assurance I remember the fact that it is God who has kept on bringing me back to Himself.

Paul and Barnabas were invited to speak again the next Sabbath.  The whole city gathered to hear the word of the Lord.  This filled the Jewish leaders with jealousy.  These leaders weren’t willing to become anyone else’s followers.  Not even followers of Jesus.  Further persecution meant that Paul and his companions were expelled from the region.  They dramatically shake the dust off their feet as they leave.  You see Jews shook the dust off their feet when they returned to the Holy Land after being in Gentile territory so as not to defile their land.  Paul and his companions and saying that if these Jewish leaders will not accept Jesus as the Saviour from our sin, then they are not better than all those pagans they look down on.

Conclusion

What’s the story our children our being taught in school?  What is the worldview that is being presented to us in western culture?  I think it is fair to say that the message is, ‘you can be whoever you want to be.’  ‘Your choice.’  ‘Don’t listen to the haters.’  ‘Be the best version of you.’

I wonder can you see that this passage is about a better story? 

Here an invitation into a bigger story.  We weren’t meant to be centre of the universe, but God does want you to be at the centre of His love.  Paul showed those people that Jesus, the Saviour, offered to forgive them and make them just.  That is a better story than simply trying to ease your guilt by raising your self-esteem.  Through Jesus we proclaim the forgiveness of sins (38).  Have you embraced that for yourself?  If you are trusting in Jesus alone for justification, and you living with thankfulness rather than regret?

Being invited into God’s big story is actually exciting.  While psychologists might suggest that we need dissatisfaction in order to keep on evolving, we can be transformed by love.  A transformed person like Barnabas who did not need to lead, or Paul who never had a problem following.  A transformed story like John Mark who selfishly headed for the comforts of home, and yet later was used to write one of the four gospels.  A transformed life like those disciples in Antioch, who faced opposition, and yet were filled with joy and the Holy Spirit (52).